Softball sweeps weekend

The Pitt State softball team played three matches this past weekend against Drury University, Friday, Feb. 22 and Missouri-St. Louis Sunday, Feb. 24. The team won agaisnt Drury (12-8). They continued their winning streak on Sunday with two wins agaisnt Missouri-St. Louis (6-2, 8-0).  

Head coach Ashley Balazs believed the team overcame some difficulties during these games and played well.  

“We competed really well and overcame some tough playing and field conditions,” Balazs said. “We are starting to figure out who we are as a team and beginning to play like we know we are capable of.”  

Balazs there were many factors in the 8-0-win agaisnt Missouri-St. Louis.  

“Halle gave us a great outing in the second game against UMSL,” Balazs said. “She was able to keep hitters off balance and induce a lot of swings and missed. Offensively we scored in a lot of different ways. We were really good with 2 outs and scored in 5 of the 6 innings.”  

In the first match against Missouri-St. Louis, junior Dru Collins, junior Kaity Kukowski, and junior Kala Holder all scored one run. Collins had three hits, Kukowski had two, Holder and junior Makenzie Goswick both had one. Kukowski had three RBIs and Holder added one. Holder and Goswick each had six putouts, freshman Mareika Turpen had three, and junior Brittanee Knepper had one. Turpen made five assists and Knepper made one.  

In the second game against Missouri-St. Louis, junior Mikayla Mahlo scored two runs and Goswick and Holder each added one. Goswick had two hits and Holder and Kukowski each had one. Goswick had two RBIs and Holder and Kukowski each had one. Holder had nine putouts, Goswick had four, and Collins and Kukowski each had two.  

According to Balazs, several players contributed to the wins the team brought home this past weekend.  

“Kala really came alive against Drury at the plate,” Balazs said. “Kaity continues to battle at the plate and contribute to our offense. Alicia is coming through in really big RBI situations for us. Our pitchers are all given us a chance to win.” 

Despite winning three out of three games, Balazs noticed some things the team needed to improve on before going back on the field.  

“We need to work on attacking strikes early in the count and fouling off tough pitches later in the count,” Balazs said. “Defensively we just need to fix a few small things like attacking the ball. Pitchers need to work on putting hitters away sooner.” 

The softball team hopes to find more games before opening conference play on March 8 with a match against the Missouri Southern State University Lions in Joplin.  

Balazs looks forward to seeing the team grow throughout the season.  

“Every person is contributing in some fashion so I’m just excited for them to continue to work together and grow as a team,” Balazs said.  

The next matches are agaisnt Missouri Southern State University in Joplin Friday, Mar. 8 and Saturday, Mar. 9.